Students Gear Up for First-Ever Adventist Virtual Library Bible Contest in Inter-America
Finalists from unions to compete online Sept. 23 on the Books of Judges and Patriarchs and Prophets.
September 17, 2025 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
The Inter-American Division’s Adventist Virtual Library will host its first Bible contest for middle school and high school finalists on Sept. 23, 2025, in an online event. The competition will bring together students who advanced through school, local field, and union levels across the IAD and will mark the culmination of this year’s Bible reading initiative.
“This is the first time the Adventist Virtual Library has organized such a contest in order to promote the habit of Bible reading,” said Yanet Cima, who oversees the Adventist Virtual Library in the IAD. “We want to help students in K–12 develop a closer relationship with God through the study of the Bible. Since students love being on their phones, we wanted to keep them engaged through this reading program.”
What Students Will Study
Finalists from 11 unions across the IAD will test their knowledge of the Book of Judges, chapters 1–21, as well as Ellen G. White’s Patriarchs and Prophets, chapters 53 and 54.
“It’s exciting to see how many young students have participated across hundreds of Adventist schools, moving through several rounds at their school, local field, and union levels before reaching this finale,” explained Cima.
[Image: Adventist Virtual Library]
The Adventist Virtual Library provided students with a microsite where they could access reading sessions, take notes, and review their knowledge over the past 12 months.
The Bible knowledge contest will feature four rounds of 10 questions each, using the IAD’s Bible Connection software—traditionally used by youth ministries leaders for similar annual competitions.
“There have been many schools embracing the initiative since last September,” said Cima. “While not all participated in the contest rounds, many still actively engaged in the reading program.” She added that the initiative also included primary students. “We anticipate that even more schools will involve their students in both the Bible reading program and the contest next year.”
Why It Matters
Awards for the top three winners will include scholarship funds and other prizes.
“This is all about creating a love for reading the Bible on a digital platform, deepening knowledge about the Creator, and helping each student develop personal study habits,” Cima said.
She added that many students have already shared testimonies of how the program has inspired them. “One student said, ‘I don’t let go of my Bible and want to continue discovering how God can guide me too.’ It’s wonderful to see our Adventist schools nurturing Bible reading just as our local churches do.”
Finalists this year include:
Atlantic Caribbean Union: Khushi Kodavati
Costa Rica Union: Joshua David Vasonselos Chavez
Dominican Union: Isael De La Rosa
East Venezuela Union: Jesus Torrelles
El Salvador Union: Josué Anderson Pineda Rubio
French Antilles Guiana Union: Fabris Emmanuel Mathias
Guatemala Union: Pablo Esteban Reyes Castañaza
Honduras Union: Kelly Jenessa Martel
Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union: Alicia Sheryl Hidalgo Osorio
Nicaragua Union: Marcelo Alejandro Prado Ruiz
North Colombian Union: Erwin Mauricio Contreras Solano
The Adventist Virtual Library’s Bible reading contest will be live on Sept. 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Miami Time, at webcast.interamerica.org
For updates on this and other events and initiatives, visit us at interamerica.org